Tag Archives: Superyachts

SeaDream. Let the Surf be Your Soundtrack.

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SeaDream Yachting. If you dream of broad expanses of open ocean, but the idea of pulsating discos, searching for your dining table amid hundreds /thousands of diners or following a crowd of travelers snaking beyond a guide with an elevated orange flag…dream no more.

Our clients are not cruisers, my usual retort: my peeps don’t mingle, we usually charter private yachts all over the world for our sea loving clients.

I’ve reserved the Lindblad National Geographic exploration ships and sailed from Papeete to the Marquesas, which was a marvelous adventure with a small group of like-minded travelers. One of my younger clients treats his parents to these explorations.

A random introduction by one of my respected travel colleagues led to a very fascinating connection to SeaDream yachting.

A small family-owned firm, SeaDream Yacht Club has a unique approach to cruising. Small is Small with their twin cruising yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, offering style and refinement for a maximum guest list of 112 guests with a crew of 95!

Fully inclusive, passengers enjoy pampering by a polished crew, dine on locally inspired gastronomy served on deck or in an elegant dining salon; my friend who enjoyed an excursion, mentioned he dined al fresco the entire Journey! Also included-in-the-rate is wine, Champagne, and cocktails. Cheers!

Slow down, savor a slower pace and let the surf be your soundtrack.

Onboard attire suggestion, summer elegant casual. One of the most exciting extras that appeals to me is an option to sleep under a canopy of stars on a deck in a Balinese Dream Bed. Slumber Under the Stars, with full service, count me in!

Balinese Dream Bed

SeaDream cruises include these enticing areas: spring in the Caribbean, and summer in the Mediterranean and Baltic. One advantage of this style of cruising, the yachts are not massive sea ships who can only dock at major ports with other immense ships. These programs incorporate small, hidden-ports and crew-led activities, all included in the pricing. No gratuity expected, fully inclusive is fully inclusive!

My itinerary…when you read of my 70-day Journeys, this is how it originates and flourishes… I consulted with my amazing yacht broker to select my summer Yacht destination. A week of cruising includes a spin of the globe, if I’m here, where can else can I explore? Start in Dubrovnik translates to arrive several days early check into the best five-star hotel, Villa Dubrovnik, where our clients stay, explore with our guides and then board SeaDream.

  • SeaDream
  • SeaDream
  • SeaDream
  • SeaDream

My first port is near Montenegro, of course I will enjoy a day at One & Only Montenegro, a favorite brand in our repertoire – this is work, after all! 

An overnight crossing to the boot of Italy, docking in Otranto. I’ve visited the enchanting hill towns along this attractive coast. Lecce is 25 mins. away, car & driver to the luxurious five star La Fiermontina for lunch in their curated gardens. The owners also have a glammy apartment in Paris, on my list and a new Ocean property on the coast of Morocco, just north of Casablanca…do you see a pattern here? One week yacht adventure expands to discover remarkable properties.

Amalfi coast will be overrun with summer travelers, a private speed 38-foot sea craft to cruise to visit the Queen of Capri, the Blue Grotto and a divine lunch at a private beach club, my day ticket with our enchanting Italian team.

Another Capri day trip to the oh so very new Hotel La Palma, an Oetker Collection addition to their already loaded five-star roster!  Located mere steps from the famous Piazzetta, Hotel La Palma will offer a rooftop restaurant and bar, its own beach club, a pool deck,. Excited about the sneak peek!

Taormina, a trifecta excursion – Belmond has two luxurious hotels, clients love Grand Hotel Timeo, the first grand hotel to open in Taormina, celebrating its 150 year birthday!  And its sister property on the beach Villa Sant’ Andrea. At Grand Timeo, our favorite suites have terraces that overlook Mt Etna. Our clients flock to both iconic properties for the fabled Belmond luxury experiences. Sicilian Bliss on a romantic shoreline.

Late afternoon visit to the White Lotus film spot, the San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Four Seasons. A fourteenth century convent perched atop a rocky height for lunch and back on board SeaDream …#itswork

The Eternal city is my final port- I love to visit my friends at Hotel Eden & Hotel de Russie for a few nights. What is better than a personal Grazie for the recent VIP care of our Clients? La dolce vita!

Oh, add on Paris, perque no? Dear Christophe, whose real title is Le Meurice Deputy General Manager, but to me, he is the infamous Paris Black Book advisor, will always find a petite suite for me, do you recall my photos of the Madame Pompadour suite?  Several thousand feet of comfort to rest from my excursions! Once my clients see the photos, emails rain in, can we stay in that suite next visit? Oui!  Sadly, August restaurant closings means no Bistro Benoit or Jean Imbert at Plaza Athenee.

Yachting, not Cruising, Sea diary in summer! Or how to design a weeks Travel in Two Weeks!

For Your Consideration – Cruising Croatia

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Sailing Croatia is truly an extraordinary charter in a land of islands – over a thousand!  A country of fascinating ports to discover in an area that truly deserves the description unspoiled. A brief overview of sights: beautiful anchorages of pristine clear blue and green waters; expanses of olive trees farmed for home pressed olive oil, and bee hives producing local honey; shellfish farms and waters filled with fresh seafood; fields of grape vines providing bounty to boutique wineries producing great local wines. Farm and Sea to Yacht dining. Ancient foreign traders sailed these shores long ago leaving their influence on cuisine and architecture, today these influences are distilled into an intriguing blend of old and new.

The exceptional 138-foot tri-deck motor yacht Penny Mae is a classic Richmond Motor Yacht that was recently refitted and refurbished to provide guests with an atmosphere of carefree elegance, cruising in unqualified comfort. Possessing a winning combination of outstanding outdoor living areas and light airy interior spaces, she is the ideal motor yacht on which to sit back and relax in sumptuous surroundings. The Sun Deck was completely reconfigured to provide a variety of areas for fun in the sun and relaxing in the shade. The large Jacuzzi area is a tranquil oasis that is inviting any time of the day or evening for star gazing. Imagine night viewing after sunset on a large projector system.

Her inviting interior provides excellent entertaining options from the main deck saloon with spacious lounge, full bar and formal dining saloon, to the sky lounge and the several alfresco dining areas on deck. Penny Mae accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, spread over generous deck spaces. Fantastically equipped and attractively decorated, each stateroom is utterly luxurious and private, although one stateroom does outshine the rest: the master suite includes ‘his’ and ‘hers’ bathrooms with a spa tub and separate steam-room/ shower. 

The VIP Stateroom is situated on the bridge deck with a queen-sized bed, dressing table and chair, with a clear view outside through picture windows. Her fly bridge offers plenty of relaxing space for lazing in the sun, chilling in the spa pool or relishing the view with a cool cocktail. Fully stocked with tenders and toys.

The beautiful coastline and islands of Croatia have been revered as a vacation destination for centuries from long before the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who built his extensive palace compound that now anchors the modern coastal city of Split, as his “retirement” home.  Many elite past civilizations were drawn to these shores by the lush green beauty of the coastal lands and islands and the beautiful crystal clear aquamarine waters. Throughout the centuries, these civilizations have left behind beautiful architecture reflective of their culture on a coastline today filled with history.  Enjoy these waters on a crewed yacht charter along the coast and through the islands of Croatia.

Island hop through Croatia and sample the local wines, cheeses, and honey ashore along with the bounty from the sea. An almost national dish is fresh black ink calamari risotto. Wander through Roman ruins, and medieval villages; snorkel through grottos and over sunken harbors, and enjoy all that Croatia has to offer on a crewed yacht charter along the Dalmatian Coast.

Unique to Croatia, is the family farm dining experience or Homestead Dining, a great way to experience authentic Croatia while on a crewed yacht charter. With a call in advance by your Captain, and a walk into the countryside, from a lovely little anchorage, you are welcomed right into the home and farm of a Croatian family for a traditional home cooked Croatian meal. Fish is caught fresh in the morning. Livestock are raised right on the farm, as well as the vegetables. And bread is freshly baked. Every farm has their own olive orchard for making fresh pressed olive oil and a vineyard for their own family wines. Within the Dalmatian farm complex is a traditional kitchen with a Peka for slow cooked meats, fish and vegetables drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with local herbs, and a wood barbecue for grilling, with a more modern kitchen for meal preparation and service. The whole family joins in to create a full farm Croatian fresh food and Peka cooked meal. And at the end of the meal, perhaps you will be treated to the local men singing acapella or what is known in Croatia as Klapa singing, to round out your Croatian experience.

Consider Croatia!